Hirado Castle "CASTLE STAY Kaijyu Yagura" Gastronomy

Hirado Castle Stay Kaijyu Yagura is a completely private guest room limited to a maximum of 5 people per night, based on an interior design that blends tradition and modernity. It comes with a bathroom with glass walls on 3 sides and an admirable view overlooking the surrounding ocean.

【Features】
・First “castle stay” of the Japan’s 100 best castles, accommodated all year round.
・Private access to the main tower after closing hours (time restricted).
・Limited to one group per day.
・Bathroom with glass walls on 3 sides, overlooking the surrounding Hirado Strait.
・Artwork hand drawn by Takahide Komatsu.

【Optional Tours】
■Hirado Kagura & Prayer Experience
View a private performance of Hirado Kagura (Shinto sacred music and dance) at Kameoka Shrine in Hirado Castle and experience praying for safe travel. The kagura, is usually performed only for religious ceremonial purposes, but two of the entire 24 programs will be performed exclusively for our guests. Only trained Shinto priests who have been handed down the tradition are allowed the performance, as the kagura uses real swords, armors, and bows, which is rare even in Japan. The performance is so powerful and absorbing that it’s bound to take one’s breath away.
※The content of the performance may vary depending on the circumstances.
※Additional fees will be charged.
※This option may not be available depending on the schedule. Please kindly note in advance.

■Chinshin-style Tea Ceremony Experience
Experience the Chinshin Tea Ceremony in the "Kan-un-tei" tea room built in the So-an style structure, built basically with natural resources. The "Chinshin-ryu" tea ceremony was founded by the 29th Hirado lord Matura Shigenobu as a means of Samurai training. Through the experience, guests can learn to maintain a mentally strong self, as well as polish their hearts and culturally enrich oneself to attain a well-rounded personality worthy of respect, as the Samurai did.
The tea cakes are Japanese sweets restored from the historic recipe. After the experience, you will receive a Mikawachi-yaki tea bowl specially made for Castle Stay.
You can also enjoy the tea ceremony at home.
※Additional fee will be charged.
※This option may not be available depending on the schedule. Please kindly note in advance.

【About Hirado City】
Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, is a castle town which flourished as center of the first western trade in Japan. The city consists of Hirado Island, located at the northern most tip of mainland Kyushu, stretching from north to south across the Hirado Strait and the various islands scattered around it. 400 years ago, it opened Japan’s first western trading port and started trade with the Duch, and to this day, churches, historic sites, and the culture of confectionary speak of its history of international exchange. In July 2018, two assets (Kasuga Village, and Mt. Yasumandake, and Nakaenoshima) were registered as a part of the World Heritage Site "Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region". One-fifth of the island is designated as Saikai National Park, so a short drive will take you to a number of scenic spots surrounded by the clear blue sea and magnificent nature. Not once will you put down your camera, as you are bound to be snapping away. Local foods, beginning with rich seafood, that can be enjoyed not only with your tongue, but also your eyes, are also treasures of Hirado that will not let you down.

【Access】
■From Tokyo (about 4 hours and 10 minutes)
Airplane: Haneda Airport - Fukuoka Airport (about 1 hr. 50 min.)
Car rental: Fukuoka Airport - Hirado Castle (approx. 2 hrs. 20 min.)
Public transportation is available, but the journey is approximately 4 hours (not including transfer time). Travel by car is highly recommended.

■From Fukuoka City by car (about 2 hours and 5 minutes)
Fukuoka (Hakata) - Fukuoka Urban Expressway, Nishi Kyushu Expressway - Minamihata Taniguchi IC - Imari Bay Bridge - National Route 204 - Hirado Castle

Size: 119.76㎡ / 2 floors
1st floor: Living and dining room, tatami space, bath, toilet
2nd floor: Bedroom (2 double beds)
3 futon beds